4 minute read
Healthy Tips For Spring
By Nancy Ruby
Ahhh, spring is in the air. The snow begins to melt, then another storm hits. Flowers bloom and then a surprise freeze happens. The sun is shining; it’s an amazing 70 degrees only to be followed by a freeze the next night. The fluctuations of spring can throw us all. We get teased with some great outdoor weather, wear our first short sleeve shirt in months (maybe even dare to wear sandals!) and enjoy feeling the warmth of the sun on our faces. There is nothing like it! We can feel the anticipation of summer so close and all the great outdoor activities that come with it. We think we are finally emerging out of winter and no matter how many years go by we just can’t help but get our hopes up, only to be dashed with another winter storm. Ayurveda speaks of winter as being a time to slow everything down and nourish ourselves. It’s the time to rest up for the busyness of the upcoming summer activities, and the joy of being outside daily. But Spring can sometimes feel a bit confusing and even frustrating as it just can’t seem to make up its mind which can be confusing for our bodies as well. Allow me to share with you a few Ayurvedic tips for Spring and how to overcome some of these challenges. For the most part, spring is a Kapha time of year. (Kapha is a combination of the elements of earth and water – basically mud!) We are still experiencing quite a bit of moisture and feeling like things are a bit heavy and stuck. Spring is a season of transition, so a springtime routine is not intended to be rigid or static. It’s important we fluctuate a bit according to what’s happening with the weather day to day.
SPRINGTIME DIET You may notice a craving for more greens and over all a lighter diet,
especially on those warm days. In many parts of the country greens are flourishing in the garden. As you familiarize yourself with the rhythms of Mother Nature, you will notice that she provides exactly what’s needed each season. Greens love the cooler weather (not freezing) and are abundant this time of year. Listen to those cravings. They are your bodies way of telling you it’s time to ramp up the greens. Collards, kale, chard, arugula are all examples of nutrient-packed spring vegetables to add to your diet. They all tend to be a bit astringent and therefore drying which is helpful coming out of winter. Be flexible. If another storm comes through and it seems as if winter is back, make another nice hearty soup to stay warm. Help your body out in this confusing time of year! Other vegetables to favor this time of year would be asparagus, artichokes, bell peppers, beets, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, dandelion greens, lettuce, and spinach.
SPRINGTIME LIFESTYLE We are emerging from a long
winter’s nap. This is a great time of year to begin to wake up a little earlier in the morning as the sun is also rising earlier each day. The nervous system will still benefit from some sense of routine throughout the day that we created in the winter (regular times for working, eating, sleeping, and exercise) but spring is also a good time to intentionally escape the status quo. Try something new, embrace a sense of playfulness and adventure, and give your wild side some outlets for expression and adventure. Have some fun with your clothing by dressing in bright, warming colors like reds, yellows, and oranges in the early spring, while the weather remains cool and wet. As the weather warms up, you can gradually shift toward cooling blues, greens, purples, and whites.
SPRINGTIME YOGA Spring is a nice time to enjoy a creative and stimulating yoga
practice that is more active and begins to emphasize internal cleansing. Simple sun salutations, twists and heart openers are all great this time of year to expand the lungs, open the chest and cleanse the liver. How you welcome the season of awakening will vary. The above tips are a great way to begin to dry out from winter, get moving and ready to jump into the activities of summer! If you are ready to dive a little deeper into seasonal self-care and learn from the science of Yoga and Ayurveda, message me at nancyruby@yogamotion.com for some simple handouts to guide you through a healthy Spring season.
